“Go to the window!” I screamed back, coughing.

“I’ll find another way around!”

I backed away, the heat pushing me toward the rear exit of the stage.

The backstage hallway was dark and filled with drifting smoke.

I could hear the crackle of the wood above me, the ancient structure beginning to give way.

I pressed a wet sleeve against my nose, trying to breathe.

My feet found the stone stairs leading down to the basement level.

It was cooler down here, but the air was stale.

I ran down the corridor, my hands brushing against the damp brick walls.

There had to be an old service door that led to the alley.

Behind me, a loud crash echoed as part of the stage collapsed.

The sound of metal twisting and wood splintering filled the space.

I pushed open a heavy metal door at the end of the hall.

The cold night air hit my face, and I gasped, drawing the sweet, clean oxygen into my lungs.

I was in the narrow alley behind the charity hall.